Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri clinched the silver medal in the men’s singles table tennis event at the 2024 African Games after a hard-fought battle against Egypt’s Omar Assar.
In a thrilling final held in Accra, Ghana, Aruna Quadri faced his Egyptian counterpart Omar Assar, ultimately losing 4-3 in a closely contested match.
The defeat marked another instance of Aruna’s quest for the elusive gold medal in the men’s singles event at the African Games. Despite his remarkable talent and skill, Aruna has yet to secure the top prize after participating in four editions of the tournament.
Reflecting on the match, Aruna Quadri acknowledged the intensity of the competition and emphasized the importance of sportsmanship in table tennis.
“It’s really hard and tough. But of course, we keep fighting and fighting. It’s not about winning all the time, it’s about sportsmanship,” Aruna commented, highlighting the spirit of resilience and professionalism in the sport.
“This is why we are professionals; this is what we are made to do. It’s always a very difficult match; it shows that the level of the competition is actually improving.”
However, Offiong Edem secured a bronze medal for Nigeria in the women’s table tennis singles event, adding to the country’s medal tally at the African Games in Ghana.
Despite her loss in the semi-final clash against Dina Meshref, Offiong Edem’s impressive performance throughout the tournament earned her a well-deserved spot among the medalists.
The women’s singles gold medal was claimed by 16-year-old Hana Goda, who defeated Dina Meshref in the final.
The table tennis event set the stage for the African Games, which commenced on March 8 and will continue until March 23.
